For the Women Who Gave Us Everything
Celebrating the fierce, tender, prayerful love that defines motherhood.
It’s Sunday morning. A cool day, and the house is silent. One of my sisters-in-law, an early riser, has already sent out a message of love and support to all the mothers and godmothers in our family. It’s one of the things I love about her.
Although I am not a mother in the traditional sense, I am godmother to her eldest daughter, and I’m so grateful to both my brothers and my sisters-in-law for how open they are in letting me love their children as my own. The best gift I can give them is the assurance that I will always be there for them, should they need me. All they have to do is keep reaching forward—pursuing their dreams and aspirations. And if ever they grow worried or unsure, they can look back. I’ll be further down the mountain… but never too far to witness their challenges, celebrate their triumphs, and be there with a bit of support, encouragement, or a helping hand.
So this morning, I began drafting a few words to express my love this Mother’s Day. They honestly just poured out in 15 minutes—surprising, yet also a testament to the inspiration behind them: my mother. The poem reflects what I’ve witnessed all my life—how she loves and cares for her children, grandchildren, and now a great-grandchild.
Then I began to think of all the women in my life… some close, many spread across the state and country. Whether we speak often or only occasionally, whether we live in the same city or connect through social media and holiday cards, I’m filled with love and joy as I witness the way they care for their children and their loved ones with such tenderness.
The world can feel at times rough, unkind, and lost. But it’s on days like today that I feel overwhelmed with gratitude, hope, and love. It gives me a chance to reflect on all the incredible women in my life.
So here is the poem I wrote—to the woman who gave me life, who supported my every wish through prayer and a helping hand, and who loved me without end. I love you, Mom.
I am rich beyond measure—rich in the one thing that has been written about since the beginning of time: love.
To Be a Mother
To live courageously,
To love deeply,
To care wholeheartedly,
To share endlessly,
To admire abundantly,
To pray constantly,
To protect fiercely,
To teach patiently,
To show compassion lovingly,
To mend tenderly—
Is to be a mother.
What a gift a child of any age receives
When they receive the endless gifts a mother gives.
Happy Mother’s Day
To mothers whose acts
Move us,
Touch us,
Inspire us,
Give us—
the love our souls crave.
It is because of my mother’s love that I now get to share that same love with four beautiful young babes who call me Loli (Lullee). Loli was my mother’s nickname growing up in her small town. Every time I heard her cousins call her that, I could feel the love in their voices. It always made me feel special—how deeply loved she was by her family.
So, to have these four beautiful grand babes call me by my mother’s name is incredibly special to me. It means she will live on for generations. And oh, how these young children love—a true testament to their beautiful parents! I’m so grateful they let me share the endless love given to me with their children.
It’s hard not to feel good about life when you get a call, receive a hug, or have them eat off your plate with their tiny hands. I sure do love them all.
May today fill you with loving memories of your mother—the woman who gave you life, brought you into the world, and loved you through the easy and hard times. The one who protects you always. And if your mother is no longer with us, I’m reminded she lives on in our hearts and souls. She protects us from beyond—through prayer, through beautiful memories, and the lasting messages she gave us. That is how I remember my grandmother, the woman who gave life to my mom.
Happy Mother’s Day.